A safety advocacy group has tracked 728 Great Lakes drownings since 2010, including 105 in the first 10 months of 2018.
Great Lakes
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
A slow-moving ‘disaster’ is threatening Lake Superior and way of life
The Buffalo Reef in the Keweenaw Peninsula teems with lake trout and whitefish. But a mountain of waste from a closed mine is slowly seeping into the water, prompting a desperate search for a solution.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Lake Erie’s algae bloom is growing again after paralyzing Toledo water system
Fueled by farm runoff, harmful algal blooms continue to grow in Western Lake Erie, and climate change may make them even more intense. An expert explains the problem and how it could be addressed.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Flooding, bacteria prompt mass beach closures throughout U.P., Michigan
A month after the catastrophic floods, advisories or closures remain in place at 17 beaches in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula where high levels of bacteria have been detected.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
How Michiganders made Grand Traverse Bay beaches cleaner
Beach closures are a big deal near Traverse City, which thrives on tourism. So a nonprofit made it its mission to reduce them
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Listen: Bridge discusses Great Lakes drowning ‘epidemic’
Dozens drown every year in the Great Lakes, and most Michigan beaches lack lifeguards. Hear an interview of Bridge Magazine discussing the problem.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Great Lakes drownings an ‘epidemic.’ Meet a Michigan man obsessed with ending them.
At least 640 people have drowned on the Great Lakes since 2010. We know that because of Bob Pratt, a former East Lansing fire marshal who’s on a mission to make Great Lakes beaches safer.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Swim at your own risk. Most Michigan beaches lack lifeguards
Michigan towns along the Great Lakes have eliminated lifeguards at public beaches in recent years, increasing risks, safety advocates say. In New Buffalo, officials briefly considered the idea. Then came the backlash.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
How to survive rip currents and other Great Lakes drowning dangers (video)
Dozens die each year in waters that can be fiercer than oceans. Most are men. Most aren’t wearing life jackets. Those aren’t the only surprises.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Green grows the algae bloom, and not enough is being done about it
Unsightly and unhealthy, algae blooms imperil drinking water for entire cities. There’s a plan to address them, but no timeline or resource estimate. In other words, not much.